On 5 August 2024, Ambassador Morakot Sriswasdi, on behalf of the Royal Thai Government, gave a contribution of 100,000 Baht to support the construction of restrooms for Thongtip Phattanaram Temple, Tonphueng District, Bokeo Province, the Lao PDR. The contribution was received by Phra Ajarn Khamphan Panyalath, the abbot of Thongtip Phattanaram Temple.

Thongtip Phattanaram Temple was named after Phra Chao Thongthip, an ancient Buddha image which is a symbol of the Tonphueng District, Kokeo Province (constructed in the year AD 1493). Furthermore, the Temple also houses the Phra Chao Oung Luang, the Buddha image that was discovered at the bank of the Mekong River in Donphuengkham, Bokeo Province on 16 May 2024. This Buddha image is the largest ever excavated in the Lao PDR. Subsequently, on 22 May 2024, a ceremony was held to relocate the Buddha to Thongtip Phattanaram Temple, with more than 12,500 Buddhist attended this historic event.

The Royal Thai Embassy’s support the construction of the restroom for Thongtip Phattanaram Temple aims to promote religious relations and cooperation between Thailand and the Lao PDR. This initiative is part of the efforts under the project of the Royal Thai Government to promote cooperation in Buddhism with foreign countries, which the Embassy is conducting in collaboration with the Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand. Additionally, this project will also help facilitate local people and tourists visiting to pay homage to Phra Chao Oung Luang Buddha image and to Thongtip Phattanaram Temple as part of Thailand’s contribution to support and promote the Visit Lao Year 2024.